Striped bonito (Sarda orientalis)

Scientific name: Sarda orientalis Temminck & Schlegel, 1844

The Striped bonito (Sarda orientalis) is a marine fish of the family Scombridae. In the aquarium it needs water at 14–23°C (57–73°F).

Striped bonito care at a glance

Temperature: 14–23°C (57–73°F)

Biology

Dorsal spines (total): 17 - 19; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 14 - 16; Vertebrae: 44 - 45. Mouth moderately large. Laminae of olfactory rosette 21 to 39. Interpelvic process small and bifid. Body completely covered with very small scales posterior to the corselet. Swim bladder absent. Spleen large and prominent in ventral view. Liver with elongate left and right lobes and a short middle lobe. Back with narrow oblique stripes.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name: Sarda orientalis
Family: Scombridae (Mackerels, tunas, bonitos)
Order: Perciformes (Perch-like fish)
Class: Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length: 102
Common length: 55.0
Depth range: 1–167 m (3–548 ft)
Environment: Marine; pelagic-neritic; oceanodromous; depth range 1 - 167 m
Climate: Subtropical
Distribution: Indo-Pacific: widespread but with many gaps in its known distribution. Eastern Pacific: Hawaiian Islands and Pacific coast of USA to southern tip of Baja California and Tres Marias Islands extending to Cabo Blanco, Peru (especially during El Ni?o events), the Galapagos Islands and Gulf of Guayaquil.
Conservation status (IUCN): Not Evaluated
Threat to humans: Harmless
Uses: Fisheries: minor commercial; gamefish: yes
Resilience: Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (Assuming tm=3-4)

Sources

Taxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Last updated 27 September 2026